Inferior mediastinum

Looks like

The lower part of the central chest space, below the breastbone angle, down to the diaphragm.

What it does

Holds the heart in its sac, the descending aorta, gullet and nerves.

Keeping it well

Masses or fluid around the heart show on chest imaging; chest pain with breathlessness needs a doctor.

Related conditions

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Hypothermia & frostbite
• Kawasaki disease
• Metabolic syndrome
• Orthostatic hypotension & POTS
• Peripheral artery disease
• Phaeochromocytoma & hyperaldosteronism
• Pre-eclampsia
• Raynaud's phenomenon
• Sepsis
• Shock (circulatory failure)
• Vasculitis (GCA & others)